Trim Cutting Edge Problem

[Exellite]

I've been searching for ages for an answer to this, months in fact. When trimming, you are asked to select the cutting edge, I quite often trace over xrefs of surveying info of buildings, when selecting cutting edges I want to select the lines within the drawing and NOT the xref as well, in autocad r14 you couldnt select xref lines to trim and extend too, in autocad 2005 you can which suggests to me somewhere there maybe a system variable, I just cant find it, can anyone help? its such an annoying setting for me as when trimming its so much quicker just to box round a whole load of lines, but with xref lines underneath which arent always the same angles etc you need to zoom in and select each line seperately

 

hope all that made sense :S

thanks in advance

Mark

[neko]

not sure if there is a variable, but you could always unload the xref, or lock the layers of the xref if it is getting in the way.

[Exellite]

Thanks for your reply m8,

 

unloading the xref is not an option as I am trimming and extended regularly and to keep unloading and reloading the xref will take as long, if not longer, than selecting the cutting edges seperately.

 

As for locking the layer, I always do that, and it stops me from moving and stretching etc but does not stop it being selected as cutting edges (which makes NO sense to me which is why this problem is so infuriating)

 

cheers anyway, anymore suggestions?

[neko]

i have to admit that i thought you were exaggerating the issue, and i was sure that you could lock the layers and not have that problem.

 

i just tried it myself and i can't believe you can select objects on locked layers inside an xref....that's crazy.

 

if it takes me the rest of my life, i want to know how and why this occurs.

[neko]

from the help menu in autocad 2007......

 

Prevent Objects from Being Selected

 

You can prevent objects on specified layers from being selected and modified by locking those layers.

 

Typically, you lock layers to prevent accidental editing of particular objects. Other operations are still possible when a layer is locked. For example, you can make a locked layer current, and you can add objects to it. You can also use inquiry commands (such as LIST), use object snaps to specify points on objects on locked layers, and change the draw order of objects on locked layers.

[Exellite]

lol wierd isn't it?

 

I'm actually using 2005 so I dont know if this problem still exists in 2007, but I'm guessing it does after reading your previous post.

 

ah well, ill have to keep on looking, or maybe contact autodesk, see what they say.

 

Mark

[neko]

i've spent about an hour looking through the autocad discussion groups and i can find nothing to suggest you can alter these settings.

 

most users have issues with not being able to trim/extend to xrefs - nobody seems to agree with us that it isn't always an advantage - especially when the layer is locked even !

 

i want that hour of my life back.....

 

paul

[sampowell]

I use ADT 2005. When I need to select an object that overlays another I bring it on top or send the others to the back. For an xref:

Select xref and right click

select Basic Modify Tools

select Display Order

select Send to Back

 

The line on top can now be selected.

 

Luck, Sam

[Exellite]

I do that all the time, trouble is when you box around the objects the xref lines can still be selected as cutting edges

 

cheers anyway